Principal Research Associate, Clinical Biomarker Laboratory

Moderna Therapeutics; Norwood (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 144,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive healthcare

Well-being resources

Paid time off

Bonus potential

Job summary

Moderna Therapeutics is seeking a Principal Research Associate for the Clinical Biomarker Laboratory to advance ligand-binding and cell-based assays across infectious disease, oncology, and autoimmune programs.

You will independently develop, qualify, validate, and implement biomarker assays in a regulated clinical lab, with emphasis on data integrity, traceability, and collaboration with QA and cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Experience developing and executing cell-based assays and immunoassays.
• Experience with data management and record-keeping in regulated labs (GxP).
• Familiarity with QC review of LIMS/ELN/LES systems and data integrity requirements.

Responsibilities

• Develop analytical data standards compliant with GLP/ICH/GCP.
• Lead QA metrics and data quality procedures.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and QA for audits.
• Coordinate document control and training for new SOP versions.
• Support clinical-phase data analysis for biomarker assays.

Skills

Immunoassays

Cell-based assays

Quality data analytics

GxP/GLP knowledge

Data management

Education

Bachelor/Master/PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences or related

Tools

LabVantage LIMS

ELN

CDISC

RYZE

Job description

The Role:

Moderna is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Principal Research Associate to join the Clinical Biomarker Laboratory (CBL) Immunoassay and Cell Based Assay group. This laboratory-based role will primarily support the development, qualification, validation, and clinical implementation of ligand-binding assays (LBAs) and cell-based assay for biomarker and immunogenicity testing across Moderna's infectious disease, oncology, and autoimmune disease clinical programs. The successful candidate will have hands‑on experience developing and executing on cell‑based assays and Immuno‑assays. The individual will independently perform assay development and optimization experiments, qualification/ validation experiments, clinical sample testing, data analysis, and documentation in a regulated clinical laboratory environment. Experience with virus neutralization or functional antibody assays, including cell culture‑based neutralization assays and hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) assays will provide opportunities to support broader CBL immunogenicity assay activities. The Principal Research Associate will work closely with the clinical Biomarker Laboratory Lead, biostatisticians, Quality/ Compliance partners, and other cross‑functional stakeholders to deliver high‑quality, traceable, and regulatory‑compliant bioanalytical data supporting Vaccine clinical development programs.

Here’s What You’ll Do:

• Develop analytical quality data standards related to GLP/ ICH/ GCP in accordance with existing SOPs across clinical studies and in collaboration with Laboratory Operations lead and scientific leaders at CBL.
• Responsible for gathering Quality data required to establish metrics and generate insights and daily oversight of the Data Quality procedures in place.
• Evaluate performance, risks, and alignment with current regulatory expectations.
• Serve as a cross‑functional lead for key initiatives relating to Quality metrics and reporting.
• Collaborate with study personnel to ensure documentation review and corrections are complete throughout regulated studies and during QA audits.
• Act as Document Coordinator to track version changes of controlled documents, and distribution and training of new versions.
• Assist with maintaining the master schedule.
• Assist with development or revisions of SOPs
• Lead Quality analytics processes and develops analysis procedure and reporting mechanisms to improve GxP compliance.
• Support QC review/approval of clinical data generated from biomarker assays through analytical and cell‑based assay methods.
• Participate in review of protocols, methods, reports, batch records and related GLP/GcLP source documents to actively manage data and documents by using various software like Excel, LabVantage LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) database for clinical phase studies.
• Produce training manuals for the scientific and technical staff to ensure best practices are implemented.
• Collaborate with QA team and other functions towards the continued evolution of the Quality Management System (QMS) and execution of risk‐based management solutions.
• Coordinate with internal and external groups to identify appropriate solutions to improve on clinical data analysis and
• Operate at a consistent and exemplary level of efficiency, producing high quality and accurate results, in a fast‑paced environment.

Here’s What You’ll Bring to the Table:

• Bachelor's / Master’s/ PhD degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences or related industry with strong background in quality data analytics
• 4 to 8 years of relevant clinical laboratory experience in pharmaceutical industry or CROs
• Knowledge in various lab‑based techniques such as immunoassays, cell‑based assays, cytometry, and other platforms for the investigation of biomarkers in clinical phase studies.
• Knowledge of Bioanalytical method validation for Industry is preferred.
• Knowledge of data management tools, and data integrity requirements such as with QC review of LIMS/ ELN/ LES system, RYZE, CDISC standard and data collection formats.
• Prior experience in Developing and maintaining study‑specific data management documentation, Data Management Plan, and Data Cleaning Plan documentation is preferred.
• Previous experience in working in GxP or CAP/ CLIA, GLP regulated laboratory is highly preferred.
• Previous experience in Lab management and Digital Automation is.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, Word, etc.).
• Proficiency with statistical analysis methodologies is a plus.
• Attention to detail, organizational ability, judgement, team player attitude and effective communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability of multi‑tasking

Our Working Model

As we build our company, we have always believed that an in‑person culture is critical to our success. This role is 100% onsite, reflecting the importance of being physically present to support the work, collaborate closely with colleagues, and contribute to our site‑based operations. Working onsite enables real‑time collaboration, strong team connections, direct mentorship, and the hands‑on partnership needed to deliver our mission. Join us in shaping a world where every interaction is an opportunity to learn, contribute, and make a meaningful impact. Moderna is a smoke‑free, alcohol‑free, and drug‑free work environment.

Pay & Benefits

At Moderna, we believe that when you feel your best, you can do your best work. That’s why our benefits and well‑being resources are designed to support you—at work, at home, and everywhere in between.

• Competitive healthcare, plus voluntary benefit programs to support your unique needs
• A holistic approach to well‑being, with access to fitness, mindfulness, and mental health support
• Family planning benefits, including fertility, adoption, and surrogacy support
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, volunteer days, sabbatical, global recharge days, and a discretionary year‑end shutdown
• Savings and investments to help you plan for the future
• Location‑specific perks and extras

The salary range for this role is $89,900.00 - $143,800.00. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An individual’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, performance, and business or organizational needs. The successful candidate may be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, other incentive compensation, or equity award, subject to company plan eligibility criteria and individual performance.

About Moderna

Since our founding in 2010, we have aspired to build the leading mRNA technology platform, the infrastructure to reimagine how medicines are created and delivered, and a world‑class team. We believe in giving our people a platform to change medicine and an opportunity to change the world. By living our mission, values, and mindsets every day, our people are the driving force behind our scientific progress and our culture. Together, we are creating a culture of belonging and building an organization that cares deeply for our patients, our employees, the environment, and our communities. We are proud to have been recognized as a Science Magazine Top Biopharma Employer, a Fast Company Best Workplace for Innovators, and a Great Place to Work in the U.S.

Equal Opportunities

Moderna is committed to equal employment opportunity and non‑discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry or citizenship, ethnicity, disability, military or protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, or any other personal characteristic protected under applicable law. Moderna is a place where everyone can grow. Moderna is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. We consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

Accommodations

We’re focused on attracting, retaining, developing, and advancing our employees. By cultivating a workplace that values diverse experiences, backgrounds, and ideas, we create an environment where every employee can contribute their best. Moderna is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants with disabilities. Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should contact the Accommodations team at [e-mail].

Export Control Notice

This position may involve access to technology or data that is subject to U.S. export control laws, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). As such, employment is contingent upon the applicant’s ability to access export‑controlled information in accordance with U.S. law. Due to the nature of the work and regulatory requirements, only individuals who qualify as U.S. persons (citizens, permanent residents, asylees, or refugees) are eligible for this position. For this role Moderna is unable to sponsor non‑U.S. persons to apply for an export control license. - Our Mission and Vision At Moderna we are pioneering the development of a new class of drugs made of messenger RNA (mRNA). This novel drug platform builds on the discovery that modified mRNA can direct the body’s cellular machinery to produce nearly any protein of interest, from native proteins to antibodies and other entirely novel protein constructs that can have therapeutic activity inside and outside of cells. We have a clear mission to propel the field of mRNA science forward and deliver new medicines to patients and a unique vision for how to achieve this mission. Our Mission: To deliver on the promise of transformative messenger RNA (mRNA) science to bring new medicines to patients. Our Vision: To unlock the potential of mRNA by establishing an ecosystem of teams and partners that will work together to develop the broadest possible array of drugs, across diverse therapeutic areas and routes of administration, for serious diseases that are not treatable today.

Third Party Staffing Agencies

Moderna does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from candidates. For the protection of all parties involved in the recruiting process, resumes will only be accepted from recruiters/agencies if a signed agreement is in place at the inception of the recruiting effort and authorized for a specified position. Unsolicited resumes sent to Moderna from recruiters/agencies do not constitute any type of relationship between the recruiter/agency and Moderna and do not obligate Moderna to pay fees if we hire from those resumes.